Draft rigging



Nov. 6, 1934. D. s. BARRows i1,979,5-'7--4 DRAFT RIGGING Filed April 5, 1927 2 Sheets--Sheeat l NOV. 6, 1934. D s, BARROWS 1,979,524

DRAFT RIGGING Filed April 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 APatented Nov. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE N 1,979,524 `DRAFT RIGGING Application April 5, 1927, Serial No. 181,175

17 Claims.

This invention'relates to draft rigging and, more particularly, to spring and friction draft gears especially adapted for use on railway cars.

The principal objectof my invention, generally considered, is the provision of friction draft gears or cushioning mechanism especially constructed for railway service.

Another object of my invention is the provision of such gears adapted to interchange with Farlow 1D two-key, twin spring draft rigging and associated follower blocks.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a draft gear involving both spring and friction elements, said spring elements being enclosed in a barrel or casing formed for use as a front follower, whereby `the length of the followerincluding or completed gear is decreased.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a cushioning mechanism involving a spring v casing closed at one end `and open at the other,

said casing being divided into upper and lower spring receiving compartments by a transverse partition slotted for the reception of an associated draft key with the open end partially closed by a bell mouthed portion serving to provide friction surfaces and, at the same time, hold the spring means in assembled relation with the casing.

A further object of my invention is the provision I of cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft rigging, involving a spring and friction barrel closed at one end and open at the other, said open end being formed with outwardly flaring friction surfaces, friction shoes engaging 35 said surfaces, a follower engaging the ends of said shoes beyond said casing and provided with an extension between `said shoes, resilient means being provided between said extension andthe inner surfaces of said shoes for urging the latter 4 4.o into engagement with the friction surfaces on the casing.

A still further object of my invention is the pro-` vision of cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft rigging and involving a spring barrel or casing with preferably helical springs by said gear is normally held assembled even when detached from associated parts of `the draft rigging.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the `particulararrangement and combination of the Various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one 'embodiment of my cushioning mechanism and an associated coupler, an associated yoke, backstop and draft keys being shown in vertical longitudinal section.

VFigure 2 is a vertical central longitudinal sectional View of the form of draft gear or cushioning mechanism illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial front end view and partial transverse sectionalview `on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a partial side elevational and partial vertical longitudinal central sectional view of a cushioning mechanism involving a modification.

Referring to thedrawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, and first considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures `1 to 4', inclusive, there is shown a friction draft gear or cushioning mechanism 1 especially adapted for use on railway vehioles and designed so that it will fit into a draft gear pocket of usual size. In. the embodiment shown, it is adapted to interchange with the twin spring draft gear and follower block, in the Farlow two-key arrangement, although it is obvious thatI do not wish to be limited to such a con struction as certain of the features of my invention may be employed with a gear adapted for other uses. In the present embodiment, the gear involves a front friction element, spring barrel, casing or housing 2 adapted to serve, not only as acontainer for resilient means shown as helical springs 3 and 4 engaging the closed end or transverse wall 5 of the barrel, but also as a follower preferably provided with a usual form of coupler engaging lug 6 adapted to interlock in a corresponding pocket 7 in an associated coupler 8.

In order that the casing 2 may function as a front follower, such as normally employed with Farlow attachments, a transverse partition 9 is desirably provided, dividing the casing 2 into what are normally upper and lower spring receiving compartments. Said partition isshown provided with a slot 12 extending between opposite sides of the casing, said slot being adapted to receive a usual form of rear draft key 13. In the embodiment shown, the coupler is supported and connected to an associated yoke 14 by means of a front draft key 15 and the rear end of the yoke abuts the backstop 16.

In order to provide the casing with inclined friction surfaces, a bell mouthed end portion 17, preferably separately formed from the casing 2, is provided and desirably connected to the open end of the casing by rivets 18 or other suitable securing means extending through corresponding flange portions on the associated parts. The purpose of making the bell mouthed portion 17 separate from the casing 2 is, not only for convenience, but also to permit the insertion of the springs 3 and 4 and associated intermediate or spring followers 19, which would otherwise be impossible with the construction such as illustrated, on account of the provision of the partition 9 and the extent to which the bell mouthed portion overlaps the spring recesses 10 and 11. Therefore, the springs 3 and 4 and the followers 19 are inserted before the bell mouthed portion 17 is connected to the open end of the casing 2.

The bell mouthed portion 17 is formed with outwardly flaring friction surfaces 20 engaged by correspondingly sloping surfaces 21 on friction shoes or wedges 22, said shoes being formed with flanges 23 extending outwardly from the inner ends of the shoes between the bell mouthed portion 17 and the intermediate follower means or corresponding intermediate followers 19. A rear follower 24 is provided, the outer surface of which is normally engaged by the yoke 14 and the inner surface of which abuts the outer ends of the friction shoes 22 and ribs 25 are preferably formed overlapping the outer ends of said friction shoes which are preferably correspondingly bevelled as indicated at 26. Said shoes 22 are preferably formed with inward extensions 27 at the outer or normally rear ends thereof providing relatively flat surfaces 28 engaged by the inner surface of the follower 24.

The follower 24 is, in the present embodiment, formed with a wedge-shaped extension or spring spreader 29, preferably hollow as indicated at 30 and comprising converging walls 31 extending from the rear wall of the follower 24 to an inner wall 32 of said extension, said inner wall being adapted to abut the partition'Q of the housing and limit compressive motion therebetween. The rear wall of the follower 24 is also preferably provided with side iianges 33 which engage the corresponding edges of the bell mouthed portion 17 simultaneously with the engagement between the wall 32 and the partition 9 when the gear or cushioning mechanism is completely closed.

The inner surfaces of the friction shoes 22 and the outer or adjacent surfaces of the sloping walls 31 of the wedge-shaped portion 29 of the housing are preferably formed substantially parallel, that is, the upper surface of the upper wall 31 is preferably parallel to the inner or lower surface of the upper friction shoe 22 and the lower surface of the lower wall 31 is preferably parallel to the upper surface of the lower friction shoe 22,

and positioned between said respectively parallel surfaces are resilient means 34, said means preferably taking the form of curved leaf springs disposed with their convex sides toward the wedgeshaped portion 29 and their concave sides pressing against the friction shoes 22 to force them against the corresponding friction surfaces on the bell mouthed portion 17 of the casing 2,

In order to hold the parts of the gear or cushioning mechanism in assembled relation even when detached from the associated draft rigging, means for interlocking the rear follower 24 with respect to the housing 2, or a part thereof, are preferably provided. In the present instance, for this purpose, a relatively long pin or rivet 35 is preferably provided extending through slotted portions 36 in the wedged-shaped extension 29 of the housing and preferably connected to the bell mouthed portion 17 of the casing 2 by countersunk heads 37 on opposite ends thereof. The length of the slot 36 preferably corresponds with the normal relative travel of the follower 24 with respect to the casing 2 when the gear is moved from released to compressed position.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 5, a cushioning mechanism la is illustrated employing a housing or casing 2a with a bell mouthed portion 17a connected thereto in a manner similar to that of the rst embodiment. Said casing, as in the first embodiment, may be formed with a slotted partition 9a, a coupler engaging lug 6@ and containing spring means 3a and 4a with intermediate followers 19e. Friction shoes 22a may be provided, interlocking with the bell mouthed portion 17a, as in the previous embodiment, said shoes, however, in the present embodiment, being formed with inwardly extending flanges 38 on the inner or front ends thereof providing a greater bearing area between the friction shoes and the intermediate followers 19a. A rear follower 242L may be provided, as in the first embodiment, said follower, however, being formed without an integral central extension but, instead, a preferably separate liner or spreader member 39 is provided, the upper and lower sides of which provide surfaces between which and the friction shoes 22a, resilient means 34a are employed.

It will be seen that, in the embodiment under consideration, the pressure of the resilient means 34, which comprise, as illustrated, curved leaf springs positioned as in the rst embodiment, is exerted directly upwardly and downwardly on the upper and lower friction shoes or wedge blocks 22a, respectively, rather than at an angle with respect to the vertical as in the first embodiment. The flanges 38, in addition to providing a greater area between the friction shoes and followers 191, also provide for positioning the springs 34e, the opposite ends of which are adapted to abut directly against the rear follower 24.-a instead of flange portions on the friction shoes, as in the first embodiment.

instead of interlocking the rear follower directly to the bell mouthed portion 172l of the casing, as in the nrst embodiment, the follower is, in the present embodiment, formed with angular flanges 25e, the inturned portions 4) of which overlap and interlock with flange portions 4l on the friction wedges or shoes 22a, by providing cooperating shouldered portions, or projections extending between said follower and wedges, and, thereby hold the parts in assembled relation and limit outward movement of the follower 24a with respect to the casing 2a and associated members. while permitting movement of said wedges toward and away from each other, upon compression and release of the mechanism. Although other methods of assembling the parts may be employed, if desired, a preferred method involves the positioning of the springs 3a and 4a and interaol mediate followers 192ab the casing" 2@ and their assembling thefrear follower 24a,- frictienshoes or wedges 22a and springs 34a with the bell mouthed portion 117e encircling said shoes. It` is apparent that thisasseinbly can bereadilyeffected before the li-nerj3`9` is inserted because the shoes 22a 'can be moved toward each other to clear the overlapping portions 40' ofthe flanges 25a `of ther-'ear follower. Afterassembly, the liner39 may be inserted' in placeandv the assembledparts 17a, 22e, 24534?, and 39 moved into position with respect tov thecasing 2a and enclosed members `and connected thereto by rivets 18a, as in the first embodiment.` It will be seen that the preferred method of assembly, therefore, differs slightly from that of the first embodiment in which the bell mouthed portion I7 may bev connected to the casing'. 2', after therelease" springs and intermediaterfollowers are inserted, and?` the other members afterwards conveniently assenfr` bled therewith. Except asispecincally described in connection withthe present embodiment, the

bodiment.

In view of the foregoing disclosure of the' invention, it will be apparent that I have devised a cushioning mechanism or gear adapted for use with railway draft rigging in which the casing or spring .barrel thereof functions, not only as such, but as front follower adapted for use with Farlow attachments. i The friction portion of the barrel, by beingformed separate from the spring receiving portion thereof, economizes space, facilitates manufacture and, after assembly with the spring barrel, the` coil springs are held in properposition without possibility of undesired removal or loss thereof. On accountofthear`- rangement of the various surfaces between the engaging parts, not only is frictional resistance encountered by movement betweenY the `friction surfaces on the bell mouthed portieri and the cor` responding surfaces on the friction shoes,I but bee tween the engaging surfaces of both the rear f-ol-` lowers and intermediate followers, and the friction shoes therebetween.

It will be seen that the rear follower 24- with its wedge or projecting means 31, associated with the friction shoes or wedges 22' and the springs 34, forms a contractible wedge 'device' and means i for transmitting pressure to the intermediate followers 19 for compressing. the release springs 3 and 4. By having the `release springs form-ed in two sets rather thanone, it is possible tou provide for the key 13 to pass between said sets without interference.

bracing Wall portions and partition 9 of the housing` while the rear or outer ends of said springs are positioned by the closely embracing flange portions of the follower means 19 and the partition 9therebetween.

With a gear of the type disclosed in Figures l to 4, inclusive, of the present application. release is facilitated by the construction of the rear follower 24. This is seemingly due to the fact that the inclined surfaces on the wedge portion 29 of the follower are engaged by the convex surfaces of the springs 3'4, and the frictiontherebetween is considerably` less than that. betweenv the friction surfaces` on the bell mouth' of the housing and the surfaces on the friction shoes 221 engaged thereby. The follower 24 and its associated wedge portion 29 will, therefore, tendto slide out from between the springs 34 on release quicker than the friction shoes 22 tend to slide out' from between the inclined friction surfaces 20 onthe' housing. This action facilitates release by correspondingly reducing the leaf spring pressure on"` the backs of the friction shoes or wedges-22, thereby enabling the release springs 3 and 4 to more' readily overcome any improper sticking or reluc`` tance of the shoes to release and to push said shoes 22 to released position. 'i

Although preferred embodiments ofmy inven-` tion have been disclosed, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, I claim: 1r. A cushioning mechanism adapted for use' with railway draft rigging comprising a casing with a transverse wall at one end and open at the other, the open end being provided with a' bell mouthed portion, friction shoes engaging', said bell mouthed portion` anda follower engagl` ing `said friction shoes at their outer ends, resilient elements in the casing vfor acting `onA the inner ends of said shoes, said followerV being formed with a wedge-shaped `portion extending between said shoes to beyond the centers thereof, and leaf springs transmittingforcebetween the inclined sides of said wedge-shaped portion and said friction shoes. f 1r 2. A cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft rigging comprising a casing with a transverse wall at one end and open at the other and containing resilient means adjacent said wall, said open end `being provided' with outwardly flaring friction surfaces,` friction shoes engaging said surfaces with their `inner ends acted on by abutting the adjacent ends of the: resilient means in the casing, a follower cooper` ating with the other ends of saidfricti'onfshoes, and leaf springs acting diagonally between said follower and thefriction` shoes for urging :said shoes against the inclined friction surfaces ofv the casing.

3. A cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft rigging comprising a casing" with a transverse wall at one end and open at the other, saidwall being formed with means adapted to interlock with an associated coupler, whereby it is adapted to serve as a frontfollower, resilient means contained insaid'casin'g and a partition separating elements of said resilient means, said partition `being provided with a slot extending therethrough between opposite sides of the casing "for receiving `an associated, draft key.

4. A cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft rigging comprising a spring barrel with a transverse wall at one end and open at the other, resilient means contained therein and-engaging said wall, said` open end beingrpro.- vided with outwardly flaring friction surfaces, friction shoes formed with outer inclined surfaces corresponding with and engaging the friction surfaces onk the barrel, the inner ends of said shoes cooperating with the corresponding end of thev resilient means and a follower engag-` ing the other ends of said shoes, said follower being formed with a projection extending bevtween said friction shoes, resilient means disist las?

posed between said projection and each shoe, and means connecting said projection to the spring barrel while permitting normal relative movement therebetween, whereby the elements of the mechanism are held in assembled relation even when separated from draft rigging.

5. A cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft rigging comprising a casing slotted to receive a connecting draft key and containing resilient means on opposite sides of the slotted portion, one end of said casing being open and formed with outwardly flaring friction surfaces, friction shoes formed with correspondingly inclined friction surfaces cooperating with the friction surfaces on the casing and shouldered portions extending behind said friction surfaces to interlock said friction shoes to the casing, a follower engaging the outer ends of said friction shoes, means to normally prevent disengagement of said follower and friction shoes, and resilient means positioned between said shoes for urging the same against the friction surfaces of lthe casing.

6. A cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft rigging comprising a casing having a bell-mouthed open end, shoes frictionally cooperating with said bell-mouthed end, a follower having a wedge portion with oppositely inclined sides extending between said shoes for the major portion of their length and adapted to cause them to move with respect to the casing, and leaf springs interposed between the inclined sides of said wedge portion and the shoes for urging said shoes against the bell-mouthed portion of the casing.

'7. Cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway `draft rigging comprising a housing involving generally cylindrical side walls connected at one end by a transverse wall adapted to form an abutment for an associated coupler, a longitudinally extending partition dividing said housing and forming pockets on either side thereof, and coil springs disposed in said pockets and guided by said cylindrical side walls, said partition being provided with a slot extending therethrough between opposite sides of the housing for receiving an associated draft key, whereby said housing is adapted to perform the additional function of a front follower.

8. A cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft rigging comprising a casing with a transverse wall portion at one end and open at the other, resilient means enclosed therein and bearing against said wall portion, follower means engaging the other end of said resilient means, the open end of said casing being provided with a separately formed bell mouthed portion connected thereto, said portion overlapping portions of said follower means, friction shoes formed with correspondingly inclined surfaces engaging the inclined surfaces of the bell mouthed portion and provided with angularly disposed flanges extending between said bell mouthed portion and the follower means for limiting outward movement of said follower means and friction shoes, a follower engaging the other ends of said friction shoes and formed with a wedge shaped portion extending therebetween, resilient means with their central portions engaging said wedge shaped portion, disposed on either side thereof, and positioned between it and said friction shoes for urging the same into engagement with the bell mouthed portion, and means connecting said follower to the rest of the mechanism for holding it assembled even when detached from the associated draft rigging.

9. A cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft rigging comprising a spring casing closed at one end and open at the other, a transversely vextending partition dividing said casing into upper and lower compartments and formed with a slot therethrough for receiving an associated draft key, resilient means positioned in said casing above and below said partition, a follower in each compartment, a separately formed bell mouthed portion connected to the open end of said casing and partially closing said opening, whereby said resilient means and followers are locked in position, friction shoes engaging said followers and formed with correspondingly inclined surfaces engaging said bell mouthed portion, a follower engaging the other ends of said shoes, an extension projecting from said follower between said shoes, and leaf springs with their inner sides engaging said extension, and their outer sides said shoes, to urge the latter into frictional engagement with the bell mouthed portion.

10. In railway draft rigging, a cushioning mechanism comprising a combined front follower and casing formed with inclined friction surfaces, friction elements movable into said casing and engaging said friction surfaces, resilient means enclosed in said casing for effecting release of said friction elements, a web dividing said casing into compartments and provided with a slot extending therethrough between side walls of said casing, a follower with a wedging extension disposed between said friction elements, resilient means acting between said extension and elements, and a draft key received in said slot for preventing forward movement of said casing on draft.

11. A cushioning mechanism including a housing having a slot adjacent one end thereof for receiving a key for connection with associated sills, friction elements slidable into and out of said housing, coil springs interposed between the said end of the housing and said friction elements, said springs being arranged on opposite sides of the housing slot, a follower for said mechanism having wedge means projecting therefrom and normally disposed between said friction elements, and plate springs engaging opposite sides of said wedge means and acting on the corresponding friction elements.

12. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing having opposed interior converging friction surfaces and a contractible wedge device movable longitudinally into and out of said housing, said device comprising an end portion having a projection with inclined sides extending therefrom into said housing, shoes engaging the friction surfaces on the housing, and plate springs disposed between the inclined sides of said projection and said shoes, and with their end portions engaging the latter for urging them into engagement with said friction surfaces.

13. Cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft rigging comprising a casing having a bell-mouthed open end providing outwardly div-erging friction surfaces, and pressure transmitting means movable inwardly of the casing and engaging said friction surfaces, said means comprising a follower having a wedge portion with oppositely inclined sides and means frictionally engaging said diverging surfaces and including leaf springs disposed on opposite sides of said wedge portion, with the latter acting as the sole abutment means for' said leaf springs in order to apply pressure on said diverging friction surfaces.

14. Cushioning mechanism comprising a casing formed with an elongated slot adapted to receive a connecting draft key and containing resilient means on opposite sides of said slot, one end of said casing being open and having oppositely disposed walls formed with interior outwardly diverging friction surfaces, friction shoes formed with correspondingly diverging friction surfaces cooperating with said casing friction surfaces, and shouldered portions normally engaging corresponding shouldered portions on the casing formed by the termination of said casing friction surfaces, in order to limit movement of said friction shoes outwardly of said casing, a follower engaging the outer end portions of said friction shoes, and means comprising cooperating shouldered portions on said shoes and follower for normally preventing disengagement thereof, and resilient means disposed between said shoes for urging them against the friction surfaces of the casing.

15. Cushioning mechanism adapted for use with railway draft rigging comprising a casing formed with transverse spring abutment portions, one end of said casing being open and formed with outwardly flaring friction surfaces, friction shoes formed with corresponding friction surfaces cooperating with the friction surfaces on the casing and having shouldered portions normally engaging corresponding shouldered portions on the casing, to limit movement of said shoes outwardly of said casing, a follower engaging the outer ends of said shoes, follower means engaged by the inner ends of said shoes,

two sets of release springs disposed between said follower means and said transverse spring abutment portions, those portions of said follower means and casing adjacent said release springs being shaped to hold said springs in position therebetween, and a portion of said casing being slotted for receiving a connecting draft key between said sets of release springs.

16. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing open and provided with inclined friction surfaces, friction wedges with correspondingly inclined friction surfaces cooperating with the inclined friction surfaces on said housing, resilient means disposed between said wedges for urging them into frictional engagement with said housing, a follower engaging the outer ends of said wedges, and projections extending between said follower and wedges to directly hold the same in interlocked relation, and against relative longitudinal movement, while permitting movement of said wedges toward and away from each other, upon compression and release of the mechanism.

17. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing having an open end provided with inclined friction surfaces, a set of friction wedges received in said housing and provided with oooperating correspondingly inclined friction sur- DONALD S. lBARROWS. 

